Extension arm



United States Patent [72] lnventors Ralph V. Kellinger Van Nuys; HarveyG. Wilhelm, La Crescenta, California [21] Appl. No. 680,249 {22] FiledNov. 2, 1967 (45] Patented Oct. 13, 1970 [73] Assignee Lockheed AircraftCorporation Burbank, California [54] EXTENSION ARM 3 Claims, 2 DrawingFigs.

[52] U.S.Cl 211/183 [51] int. Cl i. A47f 5/00 [50] Field ofSearch182/229, 113,114,222;214/16.4;21l/13,605.183; 248/210(Cursory) [56}References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.164.973 7/1939 Webster 182/229X254L434 2/1951 Nelson et a1. 248/210 Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P.Mach-ado Axsisranl Examiner-Andrew V. Kundrat Attorney-George C.Sullivan ABSTRACT: A removable extension arm for storage racks tofacilitate the loading and unloading and storage of elongated stock. Theextension arm is of generally rectangular cross sec tion and defines anopen ended chamber along its length adapted to receive the arm from aconventional storage rack. An end plate covers one end of the chamberand extends upward beyond the top plate so as to act as a barricade forthe bar stock. The bottom plate is longer in length than the top plate,thereby adding greater structural rigidity for withstanding the momentforces exerted by the stored material stock. Registered apertures in thetop and bottom plates. when in alignment with the hole in the rack arm,permit the insertion of a locking pin to removably secure the extensionarm to the storage rack.

Patented 0d. 13, 1970 FIG} 2 INVENTORS. RALPH KELLINGER HARVEY G.W|LHELMEXTENSION ARM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates in general to an extension arm and more particularlyto a removably mounted extension arm for storage racks adapted to retainbar stock and permit its removal by an overhead crane or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art Heretofore, the storage of bar stock hasnecessitated facilities in which the aisleways between the storage rackswere sufficiently large to accommodate forklifts or other similarmechanized carrier means. Such aisleways were required since overheadcranes or carriers could not be utilized as bar stock and comparablematerials are usually stored in layers, one beneath the other.Consequently, it became necessary to use forklifts so that when removalof stock was desired, the forklift was driven down the aisleway, turnedso that it faced the bar stock, and thereupon moved forward until thefork was inserted beneath the stock. This removal process was not onlyeconomically disadvantageous, but greatly lessened the amount ofmaterials which could be stored in any given area.

More recently, storage racks having extensible arms have been developed.These racks, however, are likewise economically disadvantageous sinceeach arm is extensible and utilizes rollers or bearings even though thestock on any given arm may not be removed for several months or evenyears.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The disadvantages of the prior art have beenovercome by the novel extension arm of the present invention which canbe removably mounted to conventional storage rack arms. The extensionarm comprises structurally connected plates defining an open endedchamber, the interior of which is adapted to receive an arm of the rack.An end plate, disposed opposite the rack extends beyond the top plateand acts to barricade stock resting on the arm. Registered apertures inthe top and bottom plates, when aligned with a hole in the rack arm, permit securing of the rack to the extension arm via a locking pin disposedtherethrough. Chamfering of the top plate permits bar stock to be movedor rolled upon the extension arm without the necessity oflifting it bymechanized means.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an extension armfor storage racks which may be removably mounted thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a removablymounted extension arm for storage racks which is adapted to permitutilization of an overhead crane or the like for storing or removing barstock or other materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide an extension arm forstorage racks which is economical in construction and which is adaptedto accommodate heavy loads.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of theinvention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims; Theinvention itself, however, can best be understood by reference to thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novelextension arm of the present invention and is shown as being removablymounted to a storage rack and further illustrates bar stock restingthereon.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the extension arm of FIG. I and isshown as being secured to the storage rack arm (partially cut away) bymeans ofa locking pin.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawingsherein are illustrative merely and that various modifications andchanges may be made in the mechanism shown without departing from thespirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingsand more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof. an extension arm generallyindicated in the direction of the numeral 10 is shown as being removablymounted upon a storage rack 12. The storage rack 12 includes a pluralityof vertical trunks 13. each having a plurality of outwardly extendingbranches or arms I4 fixedly secured thereto. The trunks 13 are attachedto one another by means ofa base (not shown) such that each row of armsis in substantial alignment. The arms 14 are disposed at a slight upwardangle from the horizontal to prevent bar stock 15 mounted thereon fromrolling off. A hole 16 through the arm I4 is adapted to receive asubstantially vertically oriented pin 18. When the pin 18 is insertedinto the hole 16 a flange 20 disposed about the periphery and forming apart of the pin 18 rests upon the top surface of the arm 14 to act as adetent and to aid in preventing accidental dislocation of the bar stock15.

The extension arm 10, as best shown in FIG. 2, includes a top plate 22having a chamfered edge 23 and a bottom plate 24 which are secured toone another by means of intermediately disposed sides 26 and 28. The topplate 22 and the bottom plate 24 and the sides 26 and 28 define an openended chamber 29 which is adapted to receive the extension arm 14. Anend plate 30 is fixedly secured to the top and bottom plates 22 and 24,respectively, and to the sides 26 and 28. It extends beyond the topplate 22 such that it forms a stop or barricade. The top plate 22includes an aperture 32 therethrough and the bottom plate 24 likewiseincludes an aperture 34 which is in register with the aperture 32. Whenthe extension arm 10 is mounted to the rack arm 14 apertures 32 and 34,when aligned with the hole 16, permit the insertion of a locking pin 36having a countersunk head portion 37.

In operation, then, the novel invention works in the following manner.When stock 15, stored on the rack 12, is desired to be removed, pins 18are first withdrawn from the rack arms 14. The extension arm 10 isthereupon positioned over the rack arm 14 and secured in place by meansof insertion of the locking pin 36 through apertures 32 and 34 and thehole 16. The stock 15 is then either manually or with the assistance ofan overhead crane 40 and cables 42 moved horizontally onto the arm 10.Because the bottom plate 24 extends well beyond the pin 36, towards thetrunk 13, the weight of the stock 15 and the force moment exertedthereby is taken up over a large area. The stock 15 is thereafterremoved, and the arm 10 disengaged and pin 18 reinserted.

In this manner stock or rod may be easily removed from storage rackswithout the necessity of utilizing forklifts, or costly built-inextension arms.

We claim:

1. In combination with a storage rack having a base, upwardly extendingsupport means affixed to the base, and a plurality of rack armsextending substantially horizontally from the upwardly extending supportmeans, the ends of the rack arms opposite the support means being free,each rack arm having an aperture therethrough, an extension arm upon thefree end of each of a plurality of the rack arms comprising:

a top plate having a countersunk aperture therethrough;

a bottom plate substantially parallel to the top plate and having anaperture therethrough in register with the apertures of the top plateand the rack arm;

first and second sides in spaced parallel relation and secured to anddisposed between the top and bottom plates;

an end plate secured with respect to the top and bottom plates and thefirst and second sides, the end plate extending above the top plate; and

locking means, said locking means being a pin having a countersunk headand disposed through the registered apertures for mounting the extensionarm to the rack arm.

2. In combination with a storage rack having a base, up-

wardly extending support means affixed to the base, and a plurality ofrack arms extending substantially horizontally from the upwardlyextending support means, the ends of the rack arms opposite the supportmeans being free. each rack arm having an aperture therethrough. anextension arm upon the free end of each of a plurality ofthe rack armscomprising:

a top plate having an aperture therethrough;

a bottom plate substantially parallel to the top plate and having anaperture therethrough in register with the apertures of the top plateand the rack arm, said bottom plate being substantially longer in lengththan the top plate;

first and second sides in spaced parallel relation and secured to anddisposed between the top and bottom plates;

an end plate secured with respect to the top and bottom plates and thefirst and second sides, the end plate extending above the top plate; and

locking means disposed through the registered apertures for mounting theextension arm to the rack arm.

3. In combination with a storage rack having a base, up-

wardly extending support means affixed to the base, and a plurality ofrack arms extending substantially horizontally from the upwardlyextending means. the ends of the rack arms opposite the support meansbeing free. each rack arm having an aperture therethrough an extensionarm upon the free end of each ofa plurality ofthe rack arms comprising:

a top plate with first and second ends, said first end being chamferedand said plate having an aperture therethrough;

a bottom plate substantially parallel to the top plate and having anaperture therethrough in register with the apertures of the top plateand the rack arm;

first and second sides in spaced parallel relation and secured to anddisposed between the top and bottom plates;

an end plate secured to the second end of the top plate and to thebottom plate and the first and second sides. the end plate extendingabove the top plate; and

locking means disposed through the registered apertures for mounting theextension arm to the rack arm.

